Digital Literacy
Learning Objectives
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1. Define the term technology.
2. Explain three ways that technology can change the educational landscape. 3. Explain why understanding how technology works is equally important to understanding how to use it. |
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Digital Literacy Overview
Digital literacy is defined by Ribble (2015) as the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology. In addition to learning how to use technology it is also important to understand how it works and when to use and not to use it. Many students equate technology use with texting and social networking, but there is so much more than this. Students need to understand cloud communication and how to develop new technology or uses for current technology. Instructors need to be informed on how technology can be utilized for more than just typing papers or surfing the internet. Cutting edge schools are teaching students how to code at very young ages. Students are becoming more active consumers of educational opportunities. The choice to learn in a classroom, in a hybrid course or a fully online course presents options that educators have not had in the past. Technology is becoming so pervasive in our culture that an understanding of how it works is a requirement to succeed in the workplace and to take advantage of opportunities for professional development (Ribble, 2015).
Connections to Digital Literacy
In the medical profession electronic medical records have transformed the medical visit. Patients frequently complain that physicians no longer look at them because they are so busy typing. That medical visits can feel rushed and impersonal. On the plus side, medical records allow for decreased error rates and easier sharing of medical information. Specialists no longer need to rely on handwritten notes or patient accounts of the reason for consulting a specialist. Everyone has access to the complete medical record. In a National Physician Survey done in 2014, 75% of physicians reported using electronic medical records. Of the physicians who reported using electronic medical records, 65% said that it improved patient care. The biggest benefits are the previously cited improvement in communication with specialists and improved ability to track data and to maintain reporting consistency. This reporting consistency leads to an ability to develop standards of care and to conduct standardized research (Manca, 2015).
NPR Radio Broadcasts
Report: Medical Record Mix-Ups Are a Common Problem
Date: October 1, 2016 Length: 3:59
Summary: Medical record mixups are fairly common and electronic medical records were designed to help mitigate this, but they have been found to add an additional layer of complexity to the system. The benefit is though that there is increased transparence with patient review that may allow for more expedient correction of these errors.
Link to Podcast and transcript
Electronic Medical Records May Boost Patient Safety
Date: July 15, 2013 Length: 5:18
Summary: Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the national coordinator for health information technology at the Department of Health and Human Services says that paper records work fine in a an office, but do not work well when you are trying to coordinate care amongst a number of providers. Whenever there is more than one person involved there are different standards and this is where the federal government comes in. This has allowed a single national standard for medications and treatment of disease.
Link to Podcast and transcript
References
Electronic Medical Records May Boost Patient Safety. (2013). NPR.org. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=202401672
Manca, D. P. (2015). Do electronic medical records improve quality of care?: Yes. Canadian Family Physician, 61(10), 846–847.
Report: Medical Record Mix-ups Are A Common Problem. (2016). NPR.org. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/01/496195979/report-medical-record-mix-ups-are-a-common-problem
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. Eugene, OR: International Society for
Technology In Education.
Manca, D. P. (2015). Do electronic medical records improve quality of care?: Yes. Canadian Family Physician, 61(10), 846–847.
Report: Medical Record Mix-ups Are A Common Problem. (2016). NPR.org. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/01/496195979/report-medical-record-mix-ups-are-a-common-problem
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. Eugene, OR: International Society for
Technology In Education.
